Third Qatari LNG Tanker Passes through Strait of Hormuz Bound for China amid Regional Tensions
A third Qatari liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker has successfully transited the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz and is now heading toward China, according to ship-tracking data released on Friday. The development comes as Qatar intensifies diplomatic efforts aimed at supporting negotiations to end the ongoing conflict involving Iran.
The LNG carrier Al Sahla, which has a cargo capacity of 211,842 cubic metres, departed from Qatar’s Ras Laffan industrial port and is expected to arrive at the Tianjin LNG terminal in China on June 14, according to LSEG shipping data.
The latest voyage highlights the continued movement of LNG cargoes through one of the world’s most critical maritime energy corridors, despite ongoing geopolitical instability and disruptions affecting shipping traffic in the Gulf region.
This marks the third Qatari LNG tanker to transit the Strait of Hormuz since the outbreak of the Iran conflict following U.S.-Israeli airstrikes at the end of February. The previous two LNG shipments were reportedly sold by Qatar to Pakistan under a government-to-government energy agreement, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Sources indicated that Iran approved those earlier shipments as part of broader confidence-building measures involving Qatar and Pakistan, both of which have been engaged in diplomatic efforts connected to regional peace negotiations.
Meanwhile, a Qatari negotiating delegation arrived in Tehran on Friday in coordination with the United States to discuss unresolved issues linked to efforts aimed at de-escalating the conflict.
Qatar remains one of the world’s leading LNG exporters, supplying major Asian energy markets including China, Japan, South Korea, and Pakistan. However, the ongoing regional conflict has significantly impacted the country’s energy infrastructure. Attacks linked to the conflict have reportedly damaged around 17% of Qatar’s LNG export capacity, equivalent to approximately 12.8 million metric tons annually.
Read:Second Qatari LNG Tanker Sails through Strait of Hormuz to Pakistan amid Iran Conflict Risks
Industry estimates suggest repairs to the affected LNG facilities could take between three and five years, raising concerns over global LNG supply security, maritime energy trade routes, and future gas market stability.
The continued passage of Qatari LNG tankers through the Strait of Hormuz is being closely monitored by global shipping markets, energy traders, and maritime security analysts, as the waterway remains a crucial chokepoint for international oil and gas transportation.
